Biodiversity in a changing climate: a synthesis of current and projected trends in the US

Authors:

Michelle Staudinger

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Shawn Carter

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Molly Cross

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Natalie Dubois

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Emmett Duffy

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Carolyn Enquist

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Roger Griffis

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Jessica Hellmann

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Joshua Lawler

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John O'Leary

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Scott Morrison

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Lesley Sneddon

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Bruce Stein

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Laura Thompson

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Woody Turner

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+10 more

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Year of Publication:

2013

Secondary Title:

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

ISSN:

1540-9295

DOI:

10.1890/120272

Pages:

465-473

Volume:

Year:

2013

Date:

11/2013

Abstract

This paper provides a synthesis of the recent literature describing how global biodiversity is being affected by climate change and is projected to respond in the future. Current studies reinforce earlier findings of major climate-change-related impacts on biological systems and document new, more subtle after-effects. For example, many species are shifting their distributions and phenologies at faster rates than were recorded just a few years ago; however, responses are not uniform across species. Shifts have been idiosyncratic and in some cases counterintuitive, promoting new community compositions and altering biotic interactions. Although genetic diversity enhances species' potential to respond to variable conditions, climate change may outpace intrinsic adaptive capacities and increase the relative vulnerabilities of many organisms. Developing effective adaptation strategies for biodiversity conservation will not only require flexible decision-making and management approaches that account for uncertainties in climate projections and ecological responses but will also necessitate coordinated monitoring efforts.